HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-12-14-2020ECON-min.pdf Lexington 2020 Vision Committee
December 14, 2006 Meeting Minutes
7:45 am - Selectmen's Meeting Room
Members Present: Richard Pagett, Fernando Quezada, Mollie Garberg, Peter Enrich,
Ann Redmon
Others: Carl Valente, Candy McLaughlin, Stephen Hodson, George Burnell
Meeting began at 7:50 a.m.
Minutes were reviewed and approved at 7:51 a.m.
Economic Development Task Force Review
The meeting began with an update on the Economic Development Task Force. Each of
the sub groups' progress was briefly related and discussed:
• The posting of the Economic Development Officer's job description is quickly
approaching.
• The Finance/Econometric Modeling group is checking consulting firms'
references—this modeling will require outside expertise, which will necessitate
the use of extra funding. It is proposed that unused FY 07 funding budgeted for
the Economic Development Officer's salary be used.
• The Permitting Regulatory group has presented a diagram of the business
permitting process.
• The Communication subgroup is dormant for the time being.
General augmentation to the EDTF could come in the following forms:
• Greater diversity of new voices contributing to the discussion of economic
development in Lexington.
• Reinforcement in the form of Public Relations Efforts.
• More rapid progress.
Sustainable Development Task Force Review
Minutes from the Sustainable Development Meeting were passed out for informational
purposes:
• The group's interest in Cities for Climate Protection was discussed.
• The potential need for staff time to support development of a climate action plan
was raised.
It was discussed and agreed that members of the Economic Development Task Force and
the Sustainable Development Task Force should check in with the 2020 Vision
Committee before making any requests to the Board of Selectmen. Both groups should
seek feedback from the larger 2020 group.
Future Direction
Two ideas for the future direction of the 2020 Vision Committee were suggested. Carl
identified continuing demographic changes in the community that affect both the demand
for public services and the nature of civic engagement. The Committee could bring its
long-term perspective to examining these trends and what they mean Lexington.
Picking up on a suggestion Mollie made at an earlier meeting, Candy volunteered to
contact the three elected board liaisons to 2020 Vision to find out what their current goals
are, and what their schedule is for reviewing and updating these goals.
It was decided that for now, these questions can serve as a food for thought. Serious focus
on these questions should be left until both Task Forces have completed their reports.
Meeting adjourned at 9:00 A.M.